Electric oil-switch.



PATENTED MAR.17, 1908. J. D. HILLIAREJR. & 0. B. PARSONS.

ELECTRIC OIL SWITCH. .APBi-IQATION FILED. JAN.29, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

I 'PATENTED MAR. 17, 1908. J. n. HILLIARD, JR- & .0. E. PARSONSJ ELECTRIC OIL SWITCH. APPLIOAUMI TILE D .I'AH Z9, 1906 2 SHEETS-SHIZET 2.

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V UNITED sTArns PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. HILLIARD, .lR., AND CHARLES E.v BARSON 8,01 GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK.

Naesasas.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed Janna-r1291, 1906." Serial N6, 298,532.

Patented March 17, 1908.

To all whom 'it mayconcern:

Be it known that we, JOHN D. Hiruann, J12, and CHARLES E. PARSONS, citizens, of the Uni-tertStates, residing at Glens Falls, in the county; of Warren and State'of New York,

manufacture.

Our invention belongs in the class of oil break switches, and possesses a number of features of novelt apart from the general im rovement in esign. hig y insulated, and. thefixed contact has no metal connection with-the shell or casin The moving contact is likewise electrical y disconnected from everything except the incoming end of the circuit lead of which it forms the terminal. This moving contact is provided with an insulating casing substantially surrounding the contact. surfaces, and preferably funnel-shaped, with its broad end pointed away from the fixed contact, and its narrow end projecting toward the same.

With this, construction, when the movable contact leaves-the fixed contact, describing:

an are through the oil in which it is immersed, 'a portion of the oil is b virtue of the motion projected through the nnel into the path-of the are, which 18 confined by the pro ecting walls of the insulating casing and prevented thereby from swinging to one side out of the oil blast.

Inorder to quickly make and break, particularl the latter, and at .the same time to maintain the switch locked in its closed or open positions, we provide on the outside of ourcasing an arrangement of lugs, locking bolt and cam, together with a spring connection between the operating lever and the inside switch parts, such thatv the parts are locked in either position until the lever is swung through a considerable distance in a direction to reverse the arts, thus putting theoperating spring un er tension. When the bearings, it is thus The parts are all such tension has been attained, suitable cams on the lever act to positively unlock the parts .design in which we have embodied 1m rovemerits of a supplemental nature, will e ap parent to those skilled in the art after read lng detailed description-hereinafter. Among these we may mention the construction of the supporting parts for the movable contact or electrode. These comprise a yoke, with studs or trunnions projecting on each side, forming in effect a crank or crank-shaft of what we may term engine type. The ends of the studs or trunnions are journaled in the opposite walls of the casing, atits upper portion, and since'tlie motion is rotary within ossible to effect a somewhat tight' fitting oint without any special packing, and without creating large friction in the working parts.

The shape we have given to our yoke enables one of the wire leads to be brought in through a bushedi opening in the casing and down through a hole in the yoke, the shape of which permits free movement of the wire therein, a point of some importance in the easy working of the switch, and in the making of satisfactory connections direct from the'wire leads to the switch terminals without the interposition of an other conducting link.

he workingparts of the switch are all carried within or upon the body of the casing, which itself is carried upon anysuitable support. The casing is partly fil ed with oil, in

which the contacts are immersed, as stated,

and is provided with a removableplug closing an aperture in the bottom, through which.

the oil may be removed, ifdesired. The top Our invention is illustrated in the accom' panying drawings, in whichof the casing is closed by a cap or-lid having a ioo Figure 1 =18 a side elevation with-the cover 1 partially broken away so as to reveal the switch operating lever; Fig. 2 is'a side elevation with the lever removed and the front of the casing broken away; Fig. 3 is a central.

detailed views of the separated parts of the casin of suitable material, pre erablt of meta ,whichis rovided with projecting end flanges 2, provi ed with apertures 3 through which the bolts or screws may be assed to secure the device upon a support. he top 4 is provided with overhanging flanges 5 depending a suflicient distance to cover the conductor apertures 6 inthe casing. This top is secured by means of bolts 7 tapped into the lugs 8 formed on the casing. A suitable insulation 9 lines the casing throughout so as to prevent arcing from the contacts. The apertures 6 and 11 are further insulated by bushings 60, through which the conductors arepassed.

10' represents a supportin'gplate rovided with an aperture 11 registering wit one of 'the holes 6 in the casing and secured thereto 25 by screws 12? Adjacent the bottom of this supporting plate 10 is fastened an insulator 13, in the end of which is held, (preferably by a lead or solder filling), the stationary contact 14 of the switch, which in this instance comprises a base block and a air of split spring tongues 15, of metal. -T es'e springs 15 are slightly convergent-toward their outer or free end so that they may enter the funnelshaped movin contact 16, provided with a sheath 51 of solid insulating material.

The springs 15 are supported on the block 14, and may be replaced when desired. In order to effect good electrical connection therewith, we provide a terminal member 18, into a socket 19 of which the bared end of a conductor 21 is soldered, this member then being secured to the base block 14 of the contact by means of'bolts 1-7.

Centrally located with relation to the length of the casing is a yoke 22 having stub shafts or trunnions. 23-24 journaled 1n the casing. This yoke memberis a casting having downwardly projecting cheekplates, transversely channeled crank lugs, and a hole between them communicating with the space between the cheek- )lates so as to form an enlarged opening, preierably elli tical in cross-section, down through the b0 y of the moving parts. Secured between the cheekplates, preferably by rivets, is a wooden or other insulator 25, having a central channel communicating with the opening to. the yoke,

and carrying at'its lower enda funnel-shapied contact 16, provided with a terminal soc member 26, in which the end of the wire 27 can be secured by solder, as usual Keyed to the stub shaft 24 is a casting 2 provided 'with a de ending ortion 30 in which is mounted a sliding bo t 31 normally pressed outward by a spiral spring 32 and in the epending member 30. This casting 29 is provided with a depression 35in its face, and a hole 36 adaptedto receive one :end .of a spiral spring 37. Part of thespiral spring lies within the de ression in the casting 29 and the other' hal lies withina similar depression, 38 formed within the operating lever 39 and having the opposite end of the spiral spring37 set within a hole 40 drilled in the headof the lever. This lever is provided with a cam 41 which is adapted to engage the stud-33'so as to throw the sliding o t-31 out of engagement with the lugs, 42 and 43. Adjacent to thelocking lugs 42- and 43 in either side thereof are linnting lugs 44 adapted to limit the throw of the switch.

1 limited by a stud 33 secured to the bolt and I workin -within a longitudinal slot 34 formed In the modifications shown in Fig. 7 we have shown the limbs 45 of the stationary contact quite close together with their ends 46 flaring so as to allow an easy passage of the knife blade of the swinging contact 47 of the switch in Fig. 8, which in this instance is formed ,by bending two ieces of sheet metal 48 around the'end o the insulating member 25 and bringing them together 'at' the center so as to orm substantially one piece of metalwhich takes in between the imbs 45 ofthe stationary contact. These metal members 48 are flared at their bottom at rightan les and constitute two flanges of substantial y the same width as the insulating member 25. Around these members is secured a funnel-shaped wrap ing 49, ofsuitable insulating material, suc as treated fiber sheetsor the like, so that ,it projects beyond the contact'47 The stationary' contact is also rovided asin Fig. 5 with a terminalmem er 18 to which the line conductor is secured as mentioned above, and

one of the strips of metal 48 isbent around the insulating member 25 toform a terminal post 26. a

The operation of our invention is as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and that it is de sired to close the contacts together, the hanment with the lug 42, the arm 30 and the connected parts 22, 25 and 16 within the casing move bver, until the contact 16 reaches the spring contacts 15, and the connection is com lete. The bolt 31 then enga es behind. the ug 43, and the switch islocked in the closed position. In order 'to open it, the

handle is thrown to the right, whereupon --the action we have mentioned is "reversed, e., the spr ng 37 is placed under consider- The result is that the energy stored up in the spring is released instantaneously, and the insulating arm carrying the movable contact 16 is snapped quickly to the right, in Figs. 1 and 2, se arating the contacts very sharply. 1f consi erable energy is being communicated through the switch there Wlll, of course, be a heavy are formed, but as the movable contact progresses throughthe oil, a quan-. tity of the latter is forced through the funnel into the path of the arc, which at the same time is confined by, the. rojection of the inclosing insulator toward the fixed contact, and prevented from springing one way or the other to avoid the oil blast. that the arcis extinguished almost as soonas it is formed.

' We are aware that many changes may be made in matters of detail-in this switch, and

we wish' to include the same in our statement of invention and in the scope of the claims herein.

Having thus described OUI'iliVGIltiOIl, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat- I lated movable contact cooperating there-- with, insulating fluid surrounding the contacts, and means for quickly separating the same and producing accelerated motion of the movable contact through said fluid,- whereby a jet is produced in the path of the 40 are to extinguishitf 2. An oil switch comprising a fixed contact and a coo eratingmovable contact, oil surrounding t e contacts, and insulating means carried by the movable contact adapt-.

ed to' confine the arc, and to direct a jet of oil into the path of the same so as to extinguish it.

3. In an electrical switch, a fixed contact and a movable contact, oil surrounding the contacts, means to produce ra id motion of the movable contact in the oi in breaking, and an insulating funnel or'duct carried on thelmovable contact, whereby the path of the arc is restricted, and a jet of oil is produced therein to extinguish it. Q

4. An electrical switch comprising a fixed contact, a movable contact, oil surrounding -said contacts, insulating means carriedby .1

the movable contact for restricting the pat of the are formed in breaking, and for producing a jet of oil due to the motion of the contact, in said restricted path, to extinguish the arc.

5.. An electrical switch comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact, both having The result is extended contact surfaces lying in the plane of motion, oil surrounding said contacts, and insulating means carried by and surroundingthe movable contact so as to restrict the path of the are formed upon breaking and at the same time direct a et of oil due to the motion of the contact, across the surface thereof and into the path of the arc to extinguish it.

6. An electrical switch comprising a fixed contact, a movable contact, 011 surrounding the cohtacts, hollow insulating meanscarried on the'movable contact, and a motor mechanism adapted to produce rapidly ac- ..celerated motion thereof through the oil,

whereby the are formed upon breaking is confined to the space between the contacts,

and a jet of oil is directed into the said space to extinguish the arc.

. 7. An electrical switch comprising an inclosing casing, oil in said casing, a fixed contact secured within the casing beneath the surfaceof the oil, a movable contact carried upon a rocking-arm so as to swing to and from the fixed contact beneath the oil, a transverse shaft for said arm, hollow insulating means mounted u on the movable contact and serving to co no the are formed upon breaking and also as a ductfor the.pas-

sage of oil into the path-thereof, and a motor mechanism adapted to act through said shaft to swing t 1e movable contact quickly" away from the fixed contact to break.

8.. An electrical switch comprising a metal casing, an insulating lining in said casing, a

,fixed contact mounted upon an insulator within the casing, a circuit connection'there-' for, a movable contact mounted upon a second insulator forming a swinging arm carried by a transverse shaft, an insulating funnel or guard carried uponandsurrounding the movable contact, acircuit connection extending to said movable contact and mechanically supported by but electrically insulated from said shaft, oil in the casing covering the contacts, and a motor mechanism for said shaft comprising an actuating lever, a spring connection from said lever to the shaft, locking means fort-he shaft, and a cam carried by the lever adapted to trip said locking means after the spring has been placed under tension by the full movement of the lever, so as to produce rapid motion of the movable contact throught 1e oil in breaking, 9. An electrical switch comprising a metal .casing, an"insulating lining in said casing, a

sulated from said shaft, oil in the casing c0 v'- i lock the switch either opened or closed, until il o' ering the contacts, and a motor mechanism l the lever is turned in the reverse direction. for said shaft comprising an actuating lever, In testimony whereof 'we' afiix our signaa spring connection from said lever to the tures in presence of two witnesses.

shaft, locking means for the shaft, and a cam JOHN D. HILLIARD, JR. carried by the lever adapted to trip said CHARLESE. PARSONS. locking means after the sprin has been I Witnesses? placedunder tension by the ful? movement C. L. SNOW,

of the lever, saidlocking means acting to WM. B. SMITH, Jr. 

